ASU Lodestar Center graduates ninth Public Allies Arizona class

School of Community Resources and Development

Center for Sustainable Tourism

The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation graduated its ninth Public Allies Arizona class on June 26 at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Public Allies is an AmeriCorps national youth leadership organization that places service-minded young people in apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations throughout the community. It identifies talented young adults from diverse backgrounds and advances their leadership through a ten-month program of full-time, paid apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations, leadership trainings, and team service projects.

“We are proud to be celebrating the accomplishments and dedication to service that this Ally class has exhibited over the past ten months,” said Irma Q. Leyendecker, director of leadership programs and Public Allies Arizona at the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. “The Allies, along with our community partners who host them, are integral in advancing the work for a more just and equitable society.".

Completing its ninth year in Arizona, Public Allies recognizes 33 first-year Allies, seven second-year Allies and the 24 partner organization nonprofits where the Allies completed their apprenticeships.

The June ceremony included remarks from Jonathan Koppell, dean of ASU’s College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Other speakers included Ian Keirsey (Valley of the Sun YMCA) a graduating First Year Ally; Lisa Kramer (Arizona’s Children Association) a graduating Second Year Ally and Leeane Hamilton, a Public Allies Arizona alumna. Additionally, an Honorary Ally Award was presented to Luke Black, an Equal Voices Facilitator for the Arizona Community Action Association.

“Positive social change doesn’t just happen accidentally, it occurs intentionally when leadership meets opportunity to make the world a better place in which to live,” said Robert F. Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center and professor of nonprofit studies in ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development.

“Public Allies Arizona exemplifies leadership intention. We are delighted with the quality of this year’s Allies’ class who – individually and collectively – have made remarkable accomplishments through the partner organizations and nonprofits they have engaged with throughout this past year,” he added.

Collectively, Allies have served over 61,300 hours this past year. Allies created 210 new collaborations and developed formal partnerships on behalf of their partner organizations representing new opportunities for information sharing, partnerships, and collaborative projects. Allies have implemented 11 community service projects, impacting hundreds of individuals and have earned $229,200 in Eli Segal Education Awards to be used to offset the cost of attending college.

Over $4.1 million in external grant dollars have been awarded to the ASU Lodestar Center in support of Public Allies Arizona since the program's launch in 2006. When accounting for the value of in-kind support, as well as funds invested by the nonprofits to have an Ally placed within their agencies, the total financial investment is almost $1.1 million this year and more than $8.4 million over the past nine years.